Sustainable Teaching with Rae Hughart

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Let’s be honest: most professional development leaves teachers burned out, bored, or straight-up bewildered. In Part 1 of our 6-part series launching Teacher-Tested Hacks for Smarter Days , Rae Hughart gets real about the broken system—and the bold new course built to fix it. You’ll hear the story behind this educator-powered project, why 30+ teachers, paras, coaches, and leaders contributed pract...

Too many schools are wasting contract hours on PD that doesn’t actually support teachers. This episode flips that on its head. Rae walks through the truth behind most professional development frustration—not the contract, but the confusion around how to use the time. Inspired by her viral Substack post, “How to Make Your PD Plan Work with Your Union Contract,” this episode is packed with real solu...

Feeling the July pressure to build the perfect PD plan, support paras, and magically align your whole staff before August hits? This episode walks through the full Back-to-School Checklist Series —four tactical guides that help school leaders stop guessing and start building systems that work. No fluff. No filler. Just the tools you actually need. Rae breaks down: 8 things that make or break your...

Budgets reset July 1 and suddenly every decision feels high-stakes. In this episode, Rae shares a true story from a principal’s office that perfectly captures the pressure school leaders are facing right now. But here’s the thing: planning PD shouldn’t feel like guessing. We’ve built a tool to help - an instant quiz that gives you a custom PD plan in under 60 seconds. No fluff. No “fingers crossed...

Paraprofessionals are the glue of our schools—but most are expected to lead without real training. In this episode, Rae walks through Part 2 of the Teachers Deserve Para Support series, featuring three brand-new micro-courses designed to give paras confidence that sticks. From note-taking strategies to transition phrases and boundary-setting homework help, this bundle is all about clarity, calm, a...

In this episode of TDI: Real Talk , Rae Hughart breaks down what real professional development looks like and why most schools are getting it wrong. From surviving slideshow sessions to finally building systems that work, this episode unpacks what teachers actually need: clarity, relevance, tools they can use Monday, and support that doesn’t end in August. Plus: Rae shares a major milestone - TDI...

Tired of PD days that waste time and drain morale? In this episode of TDI: Real Talk , Rae Hughart breaks down why traditional professional development often leads to disappointment—and what real growth actually requires. Learn what every PD system should include, why feedback can’t just be criticism, and how school leaders can shift from one-off sessions to yearlong impact. If you're ready to...

In this episode of TDI: Real Talk, Rae Hughart shares the bold vision behind Teachers Deserve It: reaching 1 million educators by the end of 2025 through PD that actually works. No more wasted time, cookie-cutter workshops, or compliance checklists—this is about saving teachers real time, supporting their real lives, and creating lasting student impact. Plus: a spotlight on the Thinkering Collecti...

In this episode of TDI: Real Talk, Rae Hughart shares what it really takes for educators to rest—not just escape—during the summer months. Inspired by her 3-part Substack series, Rae unpacks what strategic rest looks like, how to protect your peace without disconnecting from your purpose, and how the TDI Summer Toolkit can help you prep smarter (not harder) for August. Plus: this week’s sponsor sh...

In this episode of TDI: Real Talk, Rae Hughart unpacks the hesitation many educators feel when using AI tools—and reframes the conversation completely. What if AI didn’t replace your voice, but helped amplify it? What if using the right tools meant you could reclaim your time without compromising your authenticity? Rae shares real examples from teachers in the field, 15 ways to use AI that actuall...

This week on TDI: Real Talk, Rae Hughart takes you behind the scenes of the latest Teachers Deserve It focus groups—where educators from across the country are sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about what they need most. From burnout to broken systems to moments of unexpected joy, these conversations are shaping the next phase of TDI’s work. Plus: new free tools in the TDI Learning Hub, a Substack...

This excerpt from "Teachers Deserve It" emphasizes that while  Teacher Appreciation Week is a positive occasion , the  level of recognition and support teachers receive should be the norm, not an exception . The Pod acknowledges small gestures like free coffee and notes are nice, but argues they  don't make up for the lack of ongoing appreciation . It advocates for teachers to  fully embrace the c...

As the school year winds down, it’s easy for students—and teachers—to check out. But the final weeks can actually be some of the most meaningful moments you create all year. In this episode of TDI: Real Talk, Rae Hughart shares five powerful, low-stress activities that help students reflect, celebrate, and leave your classroom feeling seen and supported. Plus, get tips on using TDI’s new Parent Co...

Teachers Deserve It  presents strategies for educators to enhance communication with parents, emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate method for different situations. The text advocates for  smart communication choices  using various tools such as email for routine updates, video for personal connections, student-led updates for engagement, and phone calls for sensitive topics. By...

Tired of repeating yourself to parents all year long? In this episode of TDI: Real Talk , Rae Hughart dives into the power of ready-to-go parent resources —from book lists to behavior FAQs to calendars that answer the questions before they’re asked. Learn how to proactively set boundaries, save time, and still provide incredible support to families. Whether you're new to teaching or deep in the tr...

Informal interactions among educators, termed  creative collisions , as a valuable source of professional growth. These unplanned conversations, occurring in everyday school settings, can lead to new ideas, shared strategies, and stronger connections between teachers. The author suggests that schools, already rich in these daily encounters, should intentionally cultivate a culture where such spont...

Teachers Deserve It  offers guidance for educators on improving parent-teacher conversations to benefit student success. The resource highlights the significance of effective communication and cites research supporting parental involvement's positive impact on students. It suggests practical strategies, emphasizing preparation, establishing a positive tone by focusing on student strengths, and...

New Bundle Out NOW!

Teachers Deserve It  offers resources and tools aimed at improving the effectiveness and support for paraprofessionals working in schools. The website highlights the often demanding roles paraprofessionals fill, particularly during unstructured times like hallways and lunch. It provides actionable strategies, such as pre-correction techniques and visual aids, to help paraprofessionals manage stude...

We’re back with Day 2 of our special podcast series featuring clips from the brand-new Paraprofessional Bundle launching this Wednesday inside the Teachers Deserve It Learning Hub! Today’s episode features a clip from "Understanding Student Needs & Modifications," a course designed to help paraprofessionals confidently support all types of learners through meaningful differentiation,...

In today’s special episode, recorded on the go from the airport, Rae kicks off a full week of daily podcast drops featuring sneak peeks from our brand-new Paraprofessional Bundle —launching this Wednesday inside the Teachers Deserve It Learning Hub! We’re starting with a powerful clip from the course "Paraprofessional Foundations: Understanding Your Role & Impact," paired with a free...

This blog post from "Teachers Deserve It" addresses the critical role of communication in de-escalating student crises by providing educators with practical strategies. It explains the neurological basis of a student's crisis response, emphasizing that  logic and commands are often ineffective . The resource offers  specific de-escalation phrases  to use and language to avoid, highli...

Teachers Deserve It  offers educators  proactive strategies  for managing student behavior by focusing on  prevention rather than reaction . The blog post outlines  ten specific techniques  aimed at heading off potential meltdowns through methods like  clear expectations, positive reinforcement, and building relationships . It emphasizes the importance of  understanding student triggers  and using...

Paraprofessionals need effective methods to support students, especially regarding behavior.  This resource from Teachers Deserve It offers  practical, research-backed strategies  for paraprofessionals to immediately implement in the classroom. The guide focuses on building positive relationships, setting clear expectations, and using proactive management techniques. It also emphasizes positive re...